Growing Happiness Project urgently seeks new home

The Growing Happiness Project works with 100-150 people yearly

A community group urgently requires a new place to meet and grow their vegetables and flowers.

The Growing Happiness Project has been using land by Glastonbury Abbey's vegetable gardens, but it will have to clear the site by 30 September as the Abbey needs the land back.

Scott McMillan, founder of the volunteer network, said the project needs a new outdoor space within a 10-15 minute walk from the town centre.

The group helps people with depression and medical conditions, and was looking for any space, wasteland or even a car park as they can build raised beds for plants, he said.

"They gave it to us free of charge on the understanding that at some point they would want it back for their own development," he added.

The charity has been running for 20 years and has become a source of support for people in the community.

"They originally were to help people grow food and just get outdoors," Mr McMillan said.

"We now have a group specialising in people with depression and long term medical conditions.

"It's become almost a place where people say they are here to garden, but actually what they are here to do is recharge their batteries and build up some skills and knowledge about how to do battle with life and all the things that life throws at you."

Lucie said the allotment helps her mental health

Lucie regularly visits the allotment and said it "does my mental health good".

"It's just brought happiness that if I didn't come here, I don't think I'd be alive today.

"When this goes, I don't know what I'm gonna be doing?" she said.

Scott McMillan said they needed a small space the size of a badminton or tennis court

Mr McMillan said they were looking for "quite a small space".

"Ideally something that is flat, that we can get wheelchairs on and off.

"It doesn't matter if it is a piece of car park, because we'll build it all in raised beds."